"Breaking Through the Federal Job Maze: One Man's Success Story"

In this recession millions of Americans are looking for the security and benefits that come with the federal government. However, getting through the federal job process is harder today with hundreds of people applying for each federal job. The process continues to be slow, confusing and frustrating; despite the recent hiring reforms, many applicants continue to apply and apply without success and just give up.

In this presentation, you will hear first hand how one 40 Plus member went through the federal job system and obtained three federal job offers in six months. You will hear about the lessons he learned while applying for 85 federal jobs, writing more than 100 KSA’s, participating in six federal job interviews (including, phone, panel and one-on-one interviews) and one security clearance.

This is an opportunity to hear first hand from someone who successfully went through the federal job process and learned that persistence, research and the right attitude can help you get through the federal job maze.

Biography

Mike Pina is Program Manager for Communications and Outreach

at the U.S. Department of Transportation where he began work in April 2010. He works with the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (www.its.dot.gov), a team of researchers who are developing an innovative crash avoidance system that is based on wireless communication between vehicles. Mike came to USDOT after more than 20 years in the travel, tourism and transportation industries where he worked as a journalist, marketer and public relations executive. In 2009, he focused his job search on the federal government and proceeded to apply for dozens federal public affairs positions. He also attended job fairs and federal job search seminars, read books on federal employment, networked with federal employees, scoured the internet for federal job search advice and interviewed federal job coaches.

Plan to join us after the meeting for networking. Many of us carry our conversations to lunch at the nearby Brookings Institution.Attire is business casual, recruiters are often present, so we ask all Monday Speaker attendees to contribute to the professional standards and objectives of this important networking meeting.

Doors open at 9:15 for networking and the program starts promptly at 10:00.